How in the Hell Do You Cook a Chicken?

My greatest expense is food, and in the past, the money I spent on food was predominantly spent in restaurants. In an effort to reduce this expense, as well as my waistline, I’ve started making the majority of my meals at home. I say “make” as most of my meals require little to no cooking: Vegetarian Cobb Salad; Tomato, Avocado, and Mozzarella Salad; Eggplant Parmesan; Sautéed Chicken with Peppers; and Meatloaf. However, last week I decided to expand my blue-plate special repertoire, so I took a cooking class with Rebecca Goldfarb, the owner of The Social Table.

Each class at The Social Table has a specific theme, hosts eight people, and costs $65 per person for appetizers and a 3-course meal. Wine is BYOB, giving you the option of grabbing a bottle from home, picking up a bottle or two of Trader Joe’s Two-Buck Chuck, or stopping by your local wine store for one of Frugaltopia’s recommended Vino Cheapos. It may be a cooking class, but the wine is important, as you spend much of the class eating, drinking, and chatting with your classmates and Rebecca. Although not inexpensive, this cooking class is a great way to celebrate a birthday with friends, learn some new cooking tips and tricks (I can now expertly crack eggs and separate the yolks and whites), and meet some new people who appreciate food as much as you (or I) do. Read the rest of this entry »